The Marist 3x3 After 5 Competition tipped off for their first stop of competitions this month, as they push for eligibility under the requirements for FIBA 3x3 2021 calendar.

Speaking during the commencement of the competition, former national player and coach, Moses Kivo explained that such organized competitions were important, even at the club level.

He was refering to the limited number of competitions and tournaments available to clubs and players  in Honiara, due to COVID-19 and other factors.

"The only time you can see basketball being active is after 5pm evey evenings here at our home court",Kivo said.

'We have been playing evening basketball ball games mainly just for fun and fitness, but going forward we needed something more organized".

He exlained that Marist club senior players wanted to utilize the opportunity to promote the code of 3 on 3 amongst the younger players, and therefore organized the MARIST 3X3 AFTER 5 Competition. The idea was to produce organized competitions using FIBA 3X3 Eventmaker and help promote the code whilst meeting current formal requirements for Solomon Islands to qualify for 2021 3X3 FIBA endorsed events.

"We will be running these short competitions for the rest of October", Kivo informed.

Meanwhile, 3x3 FIBA E-Certificate holder and Marist player, Uriel Matanani, added that the competition was important to inform younger players of some of the new rules and concepts. He stated that game was evolving at a very fast pace internationally and therefore Solomon Islands basketball need to adapt quickly.

"At the moment, we are introducing the game at this level to our club players and slowly applying the rules and other aspects, mainly to make sure our players experience and understand them" Uriel added.

'From here, we hope to extend to other clubs and teams in Honiara, to get their 3x3 competitions going whilst building the 3x3 community profile".

3x3 basketball is a form of the game played three a side on one basketball hoop.

According to an ESSEC Business School study commissioned by the International Olympic Committee, 3x3 is the largest urban team sport in the world.